Adjustable letter and figure for inscribing monuments



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. SJMOGEE.

ADJUSTABLE LETTER AND FIGURE FOR INSGRIVBING MONUMENTS. No. 590,668. PatentedSept. 28,1897.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet P. S. MOGEE. ADJUSTABLE LETTER ANDFIGURE FOR INSORIBING MONUMENTS. N0. 590,668. Patented Sept. 28,1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

PATRICKS. MCGEE, OF DODGEVILLE,MASSACHUSETTS.

' ADJUSTABLE LETTER AND FIGURE FOR mscmsme MONUMENTSF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 590,668, dated September 28, 1897.

Application filed January 11,1897. ri l N0- 618 ,878- (N0 model-l T0 (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK S. McGEE, of

Dodgeville, in the county of Bristol, in the uments; and I declare the following to be a specification thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Like letters indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a monument provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a view of the same in section on line 00 0c of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of my invention to illustrate the form and position of the slots in which the adjustable letter-blocks are to be inserted. Fig. 4 is a view of the portion shown in Fig. 3, as seen in section on line y y of Fig. 3. on line 2 .2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the letter-blocks. Fig. 7 is a modified form of the invention. Fig. 8 is an elevation'of the name-plate, adapted to receive another kind of letter-block, which is shown in perspective in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a sectional View on line to w of Fig. 8, showing the letter-blocks and their fastening devices Fig. 11 is a sectional View on line '1; o of Fig. 8, showing the letter-blocks and their fastening means in side elevation.

The object of my invention is to provide monuments and gravestones with adjustable letter-blocks for inscriptions and so to dispense with the necessity of carving such inscriptions integral with such monuments or stones.

It consists of the combination of a slotted name plate or base, having a box-like case on the back and integral therewith, and letterblocks adapted to be inserted and adjusted in the slots of the name plate or base and to be fastened in place within said case by suitable means, as hereinafter particularly described.

In the drawings, A represents a monument, which may be of any approved design. It is to be made of bronze or any suitable non-corrosive metal, which is cast in proper molds to give the required shape. The front portion of such a monument constitutes the nameplate, (marked 13,) which is provided with slots (0 a.

Fig. 5 is a view as seen in section On the back of the name-plate B is a hollow box-like case 0, having its top slanting, as at b, to shed water, and its bottom open, as at o.

D is a block having on its face a letter or figure. It is perforated from top to bottom, as at d, and is provided with a nick or recess, as at e. Said block D is of the proper dimensions to allow its insertion in either of the slots at of the name-plate B. Said slots to may be of the same width or of different widths, as desired. The block should fit into the slot, with the face of the numbers or letters in line, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

WVhen the blocks having the selected letters or figures are ready for insertion, they are placed one by one in the proper order to form the inscription, into and through the slot at, as illustrated in Figs. Zand 5.

Fastening-pins m are passed through the holes at of the blocks D, as shown in said figures, and a cement or plastic material or other suitable substance E is poured into the space Within the case 0 through the opening 0 while the monument or plate is inverted, and this cement or other fastening material fills all said space and enters said recesses e in the letter-blocks D and closes in upon the fastening-pins m. When this filling substance has become solidified, said letter-blocks are held firmly in position.

The monument or gravestone is held in place Within the soil by the, anchors M.

In Figs. 9, 10, and 11 I show a modified form of my invention. In these the letter-block D has a rearwardly-extended hook-shaped stem N, which when inserted in the slots a, as shown, are engaged by a rod F, as seen in Figs. 10 and 11. ledge-faced blocks or fasteners G, inserted behind the name-plate B and between it and the rod F, are driven down while the monument is inverted and draw the inner face of the letter-blocks D snugly into contact with the face of the name-plate B. These fasteners G by their wedge shape and bent ends or heads are secure from vertical displacement, being firmly embedded in the cement or plastic material E within the case 0.

In Fig. 7 I show how a separate case 0 may be provided on the back of a name-plate B for each slot at therein.

I claim as a novel and useful invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a monument, the combination of a name-plate B provided with a slot a, a case 0 extending from the rear face of said nameplate back of said slot, a letter-block D adj ustable in said slot and extending into the ease and having a perforation, with the filling material E in said case, capable when solidified to hold said block and pin in position substantially as shown and described.

2. In a monument, the combination of a name-plate 13 provided with a slot a, a case C extending from the rear face of said name- 

